[mclairmo]

I hear ya, but bodywork and electrical are no different than any other part of the truck. You just need to learn the skills and techniques needed to repair them. Sanding panels, hammering em out and applying Bondo is not hard and you can do that easily, just read up on how to do it and start practicing like I did. Even welding is not hard, just takes practice. Take a welding class at the local junior college, like I did. Even highschoolers can take classes there, I believe. 110V Mig welders can be found for cheap or borrow one or rent one. Electrical is easy, once you understand that electricity flows like water in a pipe and always takes the path of least resistance. Buy yourself a Haynes Automotive Electrical Manual Part No. 1654 (like I have), a wiring diagram for your specific truck, a digital multimeter and cheap test light and you can diagnose and fix 99% of all electrical issues on your truck yourself. Crap, all you need on that truck are a few wires to get it running. You may not have any lights, horn, wipers, etc. but the starter and ignition are easy to hook up directly to the battery. Just need a couple wires, a toggle switch for the ignition and a momentary push button for the starter and you got all you need to drive it. Buy a one wire alternator and it's even easier to wire it up. I wired up a buddy's Harley from scratch all by myself with no help (on a dare one night) and if you know bikes, then cars/trucks are no different, just a little bigger. It sounds like to me that you are bright and that you can do it, you just need to stay motivated and be persistent. Tell your dad and uncle that you really need their advice and would appreciate it if they could spend some of their valuable off time with you and the truck as it would mean the world to you to learn form their years of wisdom and experience. If they see you are very serious about doing this and they see you out there under that truck trying your hardest to learn, I think they will find the time to help out.